Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 22/03/2023, 08:18  by Joseph King | Modified on 22/03/2023 at 08:18 in NBA Predictions

The Los Angeles Lakers host the Phoenix Suns for this NBA Western Conference matchup at the Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers are chasing a playoff spot with their most likely entry point coming by way of play-in the tournament if they can secure a 10th or 11th-place finish. They currently sit 11th in the standings with a record of 35 wins and 37 losses, putting them only one game behind the eighth-place Dallas Mavericks. LA will be hoping to continue forward with its positive momentum following a six point, 111-105 home win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday. The victory snapped a two game losing streak for the Lakers who are trying to cope with the absence of all-time NBA leading scorer LeBron James. While there is no definite timetable for his return, Lakers management states that they anticipate he will be back in the starting five shortly.

The Phoenix Suns come into this matchup sitting fourth in the Western Conference with a record of 38 wins and 33 losses. The Suns are in desperate need of a win after losing 124-120 to the OKC Thunder in their last outing. The defeat means the 2021 NBA finalists have now lost four of their last five games and have subsequently seen the gap between themselves and third-place Sacramento increase to 4.5 games. The Suns won their previous two meetings with the Lakers this season, averaging 122.5 points per game in the process. However, they haven’t played the Lakers at the Crypto.com Arena yet. The Suns have lost their last two away games and are facing the second of a three game road trip here. Phoenix will also be without big man Deandre Ayton as the seven-foot center is set to miss his second consecutive game with a hip injury.